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At times, when a lot is at stake, doubts seemingly run crisscross all through the narrative. Undoubtedly, fans are happy. Within the first quarter of the new year, they get to see two of the most sought-after fights of present times. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will fight next month for the undisputed championship.

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Then, in March, Anthony Joshua will take on Francis Ngannou. Ideally, the fans’ delight would have overshot the boundaries of happiness. However, the way it appears, the elation seems to have ushered in a fair share of misgivings. The first heavyweight fight might receive a pass for the history it’s going to make. But the second one? Yesterday, boxing great Lennox Lewis reportedly raised a few questions concerning the soundness of the prospect. However, it seemingly caught Eddie Hearn‘s attention early today. The Matchroom boss then wasted no time in humoring the heavyweight division’s last undisputed title holder.

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Fruitless Endeavor: Lennox Lewis

The former heavyweight champion initially called it a “spectacle”—the  October 28 match between Francis Ngannou and Tyson Fury. ‘The Lion’ pressed that even the March 8 fight with Anthony Joshua is nothing short of a pageant. But, giving credit where credit is due, the former heavyweight champion lauded Ngannou for capitalizing on the opportunities that came his way.

Whatever is said and done, the developments laid bare the heavyweight division’s current state of affairs, as Lennox Lewis mentioned. A user suggested that after the last bout against Fury, Ngannou has credibility.

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Responding to the comment, ‘The Lion’ added that the fight with ‘The Predator’ barely adds a punch to Joshua’s resume. He would be carrying everyone’s expectation to win the bout. Nevertheless, in his case, how’s he going to benefit if he turns out to be the winner?

For that matter, what precisely would be his learnings from inflicting a loss on a boxer entering his second pro boxing match? If Joshua fails to win, then it will be disastrous for his career. Tyson Fury reached that point last October, said Lewis.

It was about time. Eddie Hearn probably thought it prudent to release the ace of spades. Revealing the strategic move in the negotiations, he updated the latest news on the probability of an all-winners clash.

But there’s light at the end of the tunnel: Eddie Hearn

The new undisputed champion to come out of the Fury-Usyk match might have to defend his title from the winner of the Joshua-Ngannou fight. The English promoter posited that if ‘AJ’ comes out as the winner on March 8 and then defeats the newly crowned undisputed champion, he would also join the exclusive undisputed club of which Lennox Lewis is also a big part. “Listen in to yesterday…the winner fights the winner of Fury v. Usyk for Undisputed, and when AJ joins your club, I know you will be delighted for him,” said Eddie Hearn.

Undoubtedly, a lot is at stake for Anthony Joshua in comparison to Francis Ngannou. He had been a unified champion, so undisputed should be the natural follow-up. However, Lennox Lewis rightfully worries that a loss would once again be put in front of the naysayers and skeptics. After the Usyk losses, it took nearly a year and a-half for him to stand where he is today. So as he turns 35 this year, would he have the wherewithal to launch another comeback?

Read More: “That Boy Cashing Out and Taking Care of His Coaches” – Francis Ngannou Getting Massive Payday Against Anthony Joshua Has Ex-UFC Champ and UFC World Marvel at His Accomplishment

Do you agree with what Lennox Lewis pointed out in the Joshua-Ngannou fight? Please share your views with us in the comments below.

Watch This Story: Anthony Joshua’s Biggest Money Grabs Inside The Boxing Ring

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Jaideep R Unnithan

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Jaideep R. Unnithan is a Senior Boxing Writer at EssentiallySports and one of the division’s most trusted voices. Since joining in October 2022, he has brought a deep love for the sport into every story, whether reporting on live bouts with the ES LiveEvent Desk or unpacking the legacy of fighters from different eras as part of the features desk. Trained under EssentiallySports’ prestigious Journalistic Excellence Program, which is a specialized training initiative designed to refine top writers' skills through mentorship and advanced sports journalism techniques, Jaideep’s writing reflects a quiet authority shaped by two years of covering boxing’s flashpoints and fault lines. He is drawn to the warrior code of legends like Alexis Argüello and Marvin Hagler, while also staying attuned to the promise of rising stars like Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez, David Benavidez, and Dmitry Bivol. Jaideep has a special fascination with Naoya Inoue’s old-school grit. Beyond writing, he reads widely, a habit that sharpens his storytelling, whether he’s tracing the rhythm of a classic fight or preparing his next ringside dispatch. Before joining EssentiallySports, Jaideep worked as a client manager and team manager in corporate roles, bringing strong organizational and communication skills to his journalistic career. He has also completed notable certifications, including a Non-Fiction Book Writing Workshop.

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Arijit Saha

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